Things to see and do Châlons-En-Champagne

Leave the gondolas in Venice. The sparkling Venice is here! Cast off and let your pilot guide you on the meandering canals that cross the city. You will discover all the secrets and richness of the Chalonnais heritage through the anecdotes that will enliven your journey. In a green setting, the architecture of the city is revealed: the Market castle, the Sainte-Marie convent, the Notre-Dame-en-Vaux church... without forgetting the highlight of the show which awaits you in the gallery of the rue Lochet.

Located on the banks of the Nau River and housed in a magnificent half-timbered house, the Office offers you the opportunity to discover Châlons-en-Champagne, known as the sparkling Venice: L'EAU'dyssée, the unmissable boat trip with commentary on the history and architectural and natural heritage of the city; Métamorph'eau'ses at night with sound and light shows on the monuments that can be admired from the boat; L'Ep'Eau'pée, created in 2021, which offers a stroll turned towards nature. But also: small train, bike rental, segways, electric scooters...

The city's waterways are one of the city's charms. The Nau complements the Petit Jard and the Market Castle, which is taking place in its waters. It then hides under Lochet Street to re-emerge the arts wharf, then conflue with the Mau, opposite the courthouse. The Mau, he enters the city by the Mauvillain Bridge, known for his arch in shell. It cools the gardens of the prefecture and reflects the wooden areas and the beautiful châlonnaises stones to the bridge of Putte-Savatte (rue Croix-des-Dyers). Then the watercourse disappears under the market square and comes back to the great day next to Notre-Dame-en-Vaux and recovers a little further the waters of the Nau. It was at this confluence that the port of the city was installed in 1377. The river continues towards St. Antoine Bridge or Submarine bridge to find the waters of the St. Martin Canal. The canal connecting Louis-XII to the Canal Saint-Martin and crossing the city leaves a tranquil meander in Jard, where fishermen settle. The lock becomes a show when a barge passes. Walks to make, bridges to cross…

Holiday centre! Opened on September 13th, 2012, Espace Châlons Ville d'art et d'hisoire itself proposes, as the first step, to make you discover the city. A permanent exhibition is held here a stone's throw from the centre, on the second floor of the Maison du Patrimoine et de l'Architecture, using the most modern means to discover the history of Châlons until today. In the first area, visitors start the film by standing close to the screen: in ten minutes, they get a clear and general idean of the city's history... A geographical marker locates the elements that you choose on a map and allows you to draw your own itinerary. For children, a "material library" presents various building materials (chalk, cobwebs) and an interactive tablet offers games (puzzle, memory) around the elements of the heritage.

This museum is located in the old Vidamé de Châlons, a charming home with a portal of 1625. It is the residence of the Garinet that is reinstalled here, in the same way. In the last century, the widow of Jules Garinet bequeathed to the city the collections of art objects and curiosities of her husband and their furniture. We also admire numerous paintings from the 99 th century in the th century, as well as models of churches and cathedrals of France, works by Dr Mohen. Read: plan to arrive early in winter, because the first floor room does not have a lighting system…

No question of remaining safely! Behind Notre-Dame-en-Vaux, this museum brings together the remains of the medieval cloister built in 1170 by the canons of the college. The site was demolished in 1759 and 1766, leaving room for other constructions, which réutilisèrent stones carved into their foundations. In recent demolitions, fortuitous discoveries called for more systematic excavations. Thus, the cloister was partially returned to the surface and recollé. It was in 1978 that the museum was inaugurated. A reconstituted serving of tiers allows to admire the statues-columns and the quality of the sculptures. So we can imagine the splendour of this work of art. To visit it, no single ticket but a pass giving access to three museums.

Here, in Place des Buttes, Lucien and Huguette Cordier set out a collection of antique sewing machines. An exhibition that recounts the history of this tool, which will pass through time. More than two hundred models to discover from 1850 to 1980, of all brands. A surprising museum, which brings us back to memories and tells us about the history of the sewing machine and the housewife who used it.